Can anyone let me know if there's any glaring flaws in this first-timer plan?

[Linkura]

Hello DIS! Going in September with my husband on our first-ever trip to DLR. I've been to WDW many times and him once. I think I have a pretty good plan, but I was wondering if, all things considered based on what we currently know, there are any glaring flaws in this plan that I'm missing that DLR experts might find. We will have hoppers. We do know some rides go down a lot and will adjust our plan as needed on the fly. We WILL be getting MaxPass if it's available by then, but the plan is assuming it isn't just in case. Thank you so much in advance.

Sun 9/17- Arrive at LAX around 10:30AM from east coast, take private car, staying at Hojo.
Grab FP for HMH or BTMRR, whichever is scarcer (probably HMH this time of year) with runner while other person orders lunch
Lunch at Jolly Holiday- 2-2:30
Indiana Jones Single Rider- 2:40-3:20
Grab FP for HMH or BTMRR
HMH/BTMRR 3:25-3:45
Splash Single Rider 3:55-4:30
Grab FP for Roger Rabbit
HMH/BTMRR 4:45-5:05
Grab FP if not too tired
Roger Rabbit 5:20-5:35
Low-wait rides if not too tired, repeat until dead tired
Dinner at Plaza Inn/French Market

Mon 9/18
Breakfast at Mimi's, arrive ~1 hr early for 10AM Rope Drop
10-10:55: Grab FP+ for Ghost Galaxy, Alice, Dumbo, Mr. Toad, Snow White, Pinocchio
10:55-11:30: Toontown- Opens at 11- Meet Mickey & Minnie, Gadget’s Go Coaster
Grab FP for Star Tours
11:40-12:10: Ghost Galaxy FP
12:20-1: Pirates
1-1:30: Filler ride (Mad Tea Party?)
Grab FP for next ride
1:45-2:15: Star Tours (husband)/Small World (me)
2:30-3:15: Lunch
Grab FP for next ride, FP, filler ride, FP, repeat as desired

Tues 9/20
Breakfast at Mimi's, arrive ~1hr early for 10AM Rope Drop
Get FP if desired but most likely not needed
TSMM 10-10:25
CS (Single Rider if needed) 10:30-10:45
Little Mermaid 10:50-11:00
RSR Single Rider 11:05-11:45
Monsters Inc 12:00-12:30
Repeat favorites or head back over to Disneyland
Dinner at Cafe Orleans

Wed 9/21
Breakfast at Mimi's, arrive ~1hr early for 10AM Rope Drop
Repeat any and all favorites, do anything not previously done that's on the plan that was closed or missed due to issues
Dinner at Napa Rose

Thurs 9/22 11:30AM flight at LAX, leave around 7:30 AM from Hojo via private car

 

[SMD]

Day 1, going all the way from HMH to Roger Rabbit to grab an FP and go back less than an hour later is a huge waste of time. I guess if the railroad is up you could take it there, but still, you have Winnie the Pooh, POTC and Jungle Cruise in the area. You could also skip getting an FP for BTMRR, just wait in the standby line, which isn't usually that long and moves constantly, then go over to Toontown when you've finished NOS/Frontierland. Day 2, if you grab an FP for SMGG at rope drop it's very unlikely you'll be done with Alice & Dumbo in under an hour. I'd grab an FP for Star Tours, ride SMGG at rope drop and then do as much as you can in FL or Buzz until it's time for your Star Tours FP, then go back to FL. It seems unlikely that if you grab an SMGG FP at 10am it'll be more than 90 minutes before you ride. It's kind of a waste of time to go all the way there.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

9/18 you can't get all that done in the first hour (maybe could get FP and do two of the Fantasyland rides?) - also, I'd just do Roger Rabbit when you have that Toontown block that day instead of going all the way over there on the first day.

On Tuesday, why wouldn't you grab FP for something at rope drop? TSMM or RSR? Also, are you skipping Soarin'? You could FP that...

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Keep in mind that 10am openings are way more crowded than 8am openings. So if people talk about what they can do "in the first hour," you have to take that with a grain of salt...

 

[Linkura]

Thanks for the input. I have some thoughts based on your responses.
Day 1 comments:
My understanding is that DL is very small. Looking at a map, it's about the size of Future World at Epcot. To me, that isn't really a huge walk. I've walked far more in MK. I'd rather walk the 5-10 minutes to the FP kiosk (please correct me if the walking time between the two are off for 2 adults at about-average walking speed) and go on something else waiting for the FP time instead of waiting 40 minutes in line in standby. Having been to WDW twice in the past 9 months, I'm not used to waiting in standby lines. Also, I'm not particularly sure how long our stamina will last coming from the east coast on a 7AM our time flight, so Day 1 might be truncated and we might not do RR. Doing POTC instead might be a better option. We'll see. I'm down with changing the plan on the fly as needed.

Day 2 comments:
If MaxPass isn't implemented, the plan is to wait to grab the GG FP until after the FL rides and before Toontown. I guess I wasn't totally correct in saying my plan was if MaxPass isn't implemented- I guess it was more of a mix. Sorry for the confusion. I'm not doing Star Tours due to motion sickness, and it's identical to WDW, so it's not a big priority for us. Getting on Alice without waiting 40 minutes in standby is.

 

[Linkura]

9/18 you can't get all that done in the first hour (maybe could get FP and do two of the Fantasyland rides?) - also, I'd just do Roger Rabbit when you have that Toontown block that day instead of going all the way over there on the first day.

On Tuesday, why wouldn't you grab FP for something at rope drop? TSMM or RSR? Also, are you skipping Soarin'? You could FP that...

Thanks for the reply! Some comments:

You really think we couldn't do those 5 FL rides in opening hour if we skip getting the FP till later? That's against pretty much every other guidance I have seen. Even if it is a 10AM opening. I mean, worst comes to worst, we could skip Pinocchio and/or Snow White and do those later. Obviously, their wait times don't go up a ton during the day. Getting Alice, Dumbo, and Mr. Toad done are the major priorities for that hour. Do you think it would be worth it to do the 9AM EMH on Tuesday instead?

On Tuesday, pretty sure we're only going to do TSMM and RSR once. TSMM would be RD'd to do it together. RSR we're fine with single rider as neither of us are very excited about it. We both dislike Soarin'.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Thanks for the input. I have some thoughts based on your responses.
Day 1 comments:
My understanding is that DL is very small. Looking at a map, it's about the size of Future World at Epcot. To me, that isn't really a huge walk. I've walked far more in MK. I'd rather walk the 5-10 minutes to the FP kiosk (please correct me if the walking time between the two are off for 2 adults at about-average walking speed) and go on something else waiting for the FP time instead of waiting 40 minutes in line in standby. Having been to WDW twice in the past 9 months, I'm not used to waiting in standby lines. Also, I'm not particularly sure how long our stamina will last coming from the east coast on a 7AM our time flight, so Day 1 might be truncated and we might not do RR. Doing POTC instead might be a better option. We'll see. I'm down with changing the plan on the fly as needed.

Day 2 comments:
If MaxPass isn't implemented, the plan is to wait to grab the GG FP until after the FL rides and before Toontown. I guess I wasn't totally correct in saying my plan was if MaxPass isn't implemented- I guess it was more of a mix. Sorry for the confusion. I'm not doing Star Tours due to motion sickness, and it's identical to WDW, so it's not a big priority for us. Getting on Alice without waiting 40 minutes in standby is.

If it's crowded enough that Roger Rabbit has a 40-minute wait, it's crowded enough that getting from one side of the park to the other means you are fighting a crush of humanity and strollers most of the way. It is a challenge to navigate the park most days.

Either it's magically empty (in which case RR is like a 20 minute wait, tops), or it's crowded enough that it will be a giant pain to get over there.

If Maxpass is up, obviously that's a different story... and it probably will be, but you should know in case it isn't.

 

[Linkura]

If it's crowded enough that Roger Rabbit has a 40-minute wait, it's crowded enough that getting from one side of the park to the other means you are fighting a crush of humanity and strollers most of the way. It is a challenge to navigate the park most days.

Either it's magically empty (in which case RR is like a 20 minute wait, tops), or it's crowded enough that it will be a giant pain to get over there.

If Maxpass is up, obviously that's a different story... and it probably will be, but you should know in case it isn't.

Thanks so much for this post! WDW is definitely a different story when it comes to getting from place to place if that is what it is like at DLR. I will definitely keep that in mind, and I think given that it makes sense to move RR to the next day when I will be at Toontown when it opens. Seems like the best plan is to stay in the NOS/Adventureland/Frontierland/CC half of the park on the first day. Then, on day 2, we can concentrate on FL, TL, and TT. Sound better?

Once the replies start dying down, I'll start work on a new plan. Thank you all.

 

[OneTrackMind]

You have obviously put a lot of thought into this and are bound to have a great time! With teen boys we don't spend much time in FL so I can't comment on that part. One thing I highly recommend is the "Sha-Boom" at sunset in Cars Land. Right at sunset they play the song and turn on the neon lights. If you stand near the entrance of Cars Land you will have a great view of it. Magical! But because it's precisely timed you do have to plan for it if you want to see it. And RSR is amazing in the dark so you could consider SR or FP for that, even though you aren't too excited about that ride in general.
Have fun!

 

[chickapin parterre]

1999 observation is right on!!!!

 

[Linkura]

You have obviously put a lot of thought into this and are bound to have a great time! With teen boys we don't spend much time in FL so I can't comment on that part. One thing I highly recommend is the "Sha-Boom" at sunset in Cars Land. Right at sunset they play the song and turn on the neon lights. If you stand near the entrance of Cars Land you will have a great view of it. Magical! But because it's precisely timed you do have to plan for it if you want to see it. And RSR is amazing in the dark so you could consider SR or FP for that, even though you aren't too excited about that ride in general.
Have fun!

Thank you! Yeah, if we like RSR, then we'll likely grab a FP for night. The only issue is that we are East Coasters and it'll be pretty late when the Sha-Boom happens. I'm not planning on any nighttime entertainment. We don't even really stay up late enough at WDW for the nighttime entertainment because we're dead tired at 8PM after getting up at 6AM for RD. Adding 3 hours to the "clock" makes it REALLY tough.

 

[Linkura]

Ok, here's the first 2 days revised. Again, planning on being as flexible as possible.
Sun
Grab FP for HMH or BTMRR, whichever is scarcer
Lunch at Jolly Holiday- 2-2:30
Indiana Jones Single Rider/Splash Single Rider/Pirates depending on wait time situation 2:40-3:20
Grab FP for HMH or BTMRR, whichever not previously done
HMH/BTMRR 3:25-3:45
Indiana Jones Single Rider/Splash Single Rider/Pirates depending on what was done previously 3:55-4:30
Grab FP+ for something if desired
HMH/BTMRR 4:45-5:05
Indiana Jones Single Rider/Splash Single Rider/Pirates depending on what was done previously 5:10-5:50
Continue FP/standby game if desired
QS Dinner

Mon
10-10:55: Alice, Dumbo, Mr. Toad, Snow White, Pinocchio (as time permits); Grab Ghost Galaxy FP IF time before Toontown opens (unlikely)
10:55-11:30: Toontown- Opens at 11- Meet Mickey & Minnie, Gadget’s Go Coaster, Roger Rabbit
Grab FP for Star Tours OR GG if not previously obtained
11:40-12:10: Mad Tea Party/FL previously missed/Possibly GG if FP obtained for timeframe (unlikely)
Grab FP for Star Tours as soon as eligible. May need another ride in this window.
12:20-1: Ghost Galaxy FP (may be a later window if obtained later than expected)
1-1:30: Anything previously missed
Grab FP for next ride
1:45-2:15: Star Tours/Small World (may be later window if obtained later than expected)
2:30-3:15: QS Lunch
Continue FP/standby game
QS Dinner

 

[BriannaRuth]

I think it sounds like a good plan overall; you will just need to be flexible as you mentioned and not be surprised if you don't get everything done. I think doing everything you have listed in Toontown in 35 minutes is pretty optimistic, but it may be possible if for some reason it's not busy. All 3 things you have listed tend to be quite popular and lines build early.

Have fun!

 

[Winnowill]

Thank you! Yeah, if we like RSR, then we'll likely grab a FP for night. The only issue is that we are East Coasters and it'll be pretty late when the Sha-Boom happens. I'm not planning on any nighttime entertainment. We don't even really stay up late enough at WDW for the nighttime entertainment because we're dead tired at 8PM after getting up at 6AM for RD. Adding 3 hours to the "clock" makes it REALLY tough.

Sunset when you'll be there is in the neighborhood of 6:50, so you should be able to manage Sh-Boom, which happens at twilight. Ask a CM in the area if they know what time it'll be.

 

[Linkura]

I think it sounds like a good plan overall; you will just need to be flexible as you mentioned and not be surprised if you don't get everything done. I think doing everything you have listed in Toontown in 35 minutes is pretty optimistic, but it may be possible if for some reason it's not busy. All 3 things you have listed tend to be quite popular and lines build early.

Have fun!

Thanks! Well, the plan is to be there at TT when it opens. It seems unlikely that we will get the GG FP during that window anyway, so we'll likely have more time than expected. Just planning to be flexible. That's why I have 1.5 full days of nothing scheduled in particular- to account for rerides of favorites as well as anything we missed due to timing or closures.

Sunset when you'll be there is in the neighborhood of 6:50, so you should be able to manage Sh-Boom, which happens at twilight. Ask a CM in the area if they know what time it'll be.

Sounds like something we could manage then! Thanks.

 

[The Lucky Bug]

I would suggest on 9/18 to just ride GG (the amount of time to walk over there then halfway up the queue to get the fastpass you might as well take the extra 10 mins and ride it). Make sure you also Grab a fastpass on the way up for a second ride or star tours on the way out.

Then head over to Alice (if there is a wait you can take turns single riding Matterhorn it is that close), Dumbo, and Mr. Toad.

Hit Toon Town ride Roger Rabbit (queue is very detailed and most likely a walk on) then go see Mickey and Minnie.

Skip Gadget (since it is mostly for little kids) instead head to Small World, Storybook, Teacups, and Casey Jr. then to Pinocchio and Snow White (wait times are short all the time for these two).

 

[agamble]

I think you're planning too much. Disneyland is more of a go with the flow kind of places. We arrive at rope drop and have an area we are heading to ie. Fantasyland. The afternoons we don't plan because there are so many people that you need to be willing to find an attraction that doesn't have a crazy line and get in line.

 

[Linkura]

I would suggest on 9/18 to just ride GG (the amount of time to walk over there then halfway up the queue to get the fastpass you might as well take the extra 10 mins and ride it). Make sure you also Grab a fastpass on the way up for a second ride or star tours on the way out.

Then head over to Alice (if there is a wait you can take turns single riding Matterhorn it is that close), Dumbo, and Mr. Toad.

Hit Toon Town ride Roger Rabbit (queue is very detailed and most likely a walk on) then go see Mickey and Minnie.

Skip Gadget (since it is mostly for little kids) instead head to Small World, Storybook, Teacups, and Casey Jr. then to Pinocchio and Snow White (wait times are short all the time for these two).

This is a pretty good plan other than we don't plan on doing Casey Jr, Canal Boats, or Matterhorn (that one's too bumpy so non-negotiable).... though we might if we have time! Thank you! I'm so glad I posted this thread; it's been IMMENSELY helpful.

I think you're planning too much. Disneyland is more of a go with the flow kind of places. We arrive at rope drop and have an area we are heading to ie. Fantasyland. The afternoons we don't plan because there are so many people that you need to be willing to find an attraction that doesn't have a crazy line and get in line.

I plan like a maniac for WDW so I'm just used to it. I totally understand not needing as much of a plan, but I would like to have the days planned out at least a little even though I know there's a lot more things that can cause deviations at DL. It's kind of maddening for me, really. At WDW, I can get the first 3 FP+s booked ahead of time, and then I know that I can get subsequent FP+s for almost every other ride after those (with only 1 or 2 people in the group, it's pretty easy for everything except the real big guns like FEA, 7DMT, and PPF). At DL, it really seems like I'm at the mercy of the crowd and whether or not a ride is down.

 

[The Lucky Bug]

Also keep in mind that although the distance may be shorter from place to place than WDW the walkways are narrow and can be incredibly crowded and you may find moving around back and forth across the park getting fastpasses can be very frustrating and slow in DL (DCA has wide walkways).

When looking at a map some of the worst pathways are:
Tomorrowland path in front of Star Tours and Buzz up to the Plaza
Path between the Nemo lagoon and Matterhorn over to Alice
All of Adventureland

 

[Linkura]

Thanks. I REALLY hope MaxPass is available for my trip. Sounds like it would make things a lot easier.